Alan Donnelly from Killenard, Co Laois, was killed when his car crashed into a ditch shortly after midnight near Ballybrittas, close to his home. There were no passengers in the car and no other vehicle was involved.

Emergency services immediately rushed Mr Donnelly to the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, where doctors later pronounced him dead.

Gardai in Portlaoise yesterday appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.